Full-Time

Special Education Paraprofessional

Significant Support Needs

Academy District 20

Academy District 20

Public K-12 school district administration

Compensation Overview

$21.02 - $22.07/hr

Colorado Springs, CO, USA

In Person

The position may be reassigned to another school during the school year if student needs change.

Category
Education
Required Skills
Medication Administration
First Aid
Nursing
Requirements
  • A high school diploma or equivalent is required.
  • Obtain and maintain certifications necessary to support students with special needs.
  • Ability to adapt to changing technologies and learn new equipment and systems.
  • Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing with students and adults in varied settings.
  • Ability to create, access, input, retrieve, and manipulate information in software systems.
  • Ability to maintain accurate records, document management, and filing systems.
  • Ability to follow oral and written instructions.
  • Ability to maintain confidentiality and understand data privacy laws and their implications for the educational community.
  • Ability to manage simultaneous demands, set clear priorities, and work independently without direct supervision.
  • Computer proficiency, including office productivity applications.
  • Knowledge of district policies, procedures, office methods, and overall district functions.
  • Knowledge of special education, educational programming, and associated legal requirements related to assigned students.
  • Strong organizational, interpersonal, written, listening, and verbal communication skills.
  • Willingness to attend occupational and physical therapy training and other professional learning.
  • Willingness to receive on-the-job training specific to student needs, including vision, hearing, motor, or Braille support.
  • Willingness to be trained to carry out delegated nursing practices.
  • Ability to meet students’ physical and self-help needs, including toileting, feeding, dressing, and transfers.
  • Ability to physically restrain and escort students according to Nonviolent Crisis Intervention guidelines.
  • Ability to lift, push, pull, or carry up to 50 pounds and safely lift 50 pounds in a two-person lift when required.
Responsibilities
  • Support the principal and classroom teachers in implementing Significant Support Needs programs and maintaining a positive and safe learning environment.
  • Assist licensed special education teachers, occupational therapists, physical therapists, nurses, and evaluative staff in implementing goals for severely or profoundly disabled students.
  • Prepare meals, feed students, and clean up lunch while implementing communication, oral motor, sensory integration, and physical Individualized Education Program goals.
  • Carry out instructional programs and lessons in various learning environments according to lesson plans.
  • Work with small groups under teacher supervision to reinforce material introduced by the teacher.
  • Assist students with delegated medical tasks, including medication administration, tube feeding, catheterization, toileting, diapering, and suctioning.
  • Clean and disinfect regurgitation, blood, and urine and follow infectious disease control practices.
  • Work with confidential special education student information.
  • Maneuver and secure wheelchairs.
  • Provide initial first aid and emergency care.
  • Assist students with dressing, movement between rooms, lavatory use, and other physical tasks.
  • Carry out programming using physical therapy support equipment and sanitize equipment and materials.
  • Monitor student behavior contracts and reward systems.
  • Perform behavioral management using Nonviolent Crisis Intervention techniques when appropriate.
  • Assist with non-standardized student testing.
  • Develop and implement games and teaching aids.
  • Tutor students in various subject areas and assist with recitation, reading, and curriculum tasks.
  • Assist students in preparing, producing, and maintaining assigned materials and equipment.
  • Coordinate completion of assignments and job tasks with classroom teachers and employers.
  • Work with students in one-to-one and group settings.
  • Assist students in locating library materials and conduct story time.
  • Monitor students during recess, hall duty, passing periods, and bus loading.
  • Supervise students using computer programs and supervise swimming pools, weight rooms, and therapy pools when assigned.
  • Accompany and assist students in classroom settings and community-based settings.
  • Attend required pre-job training, ongoing training, and meetings.
  • Serve as a resource to the student personnel evaluation team regarding assigned students.
  • Work with teachers to integrate assistive technology into classrooms.
  • Maintain and update student files.
  • Maintain, order, and organize program materials and equipment inventory.
  • Collect data for assessment and monitoring purposes.
  • Complete daily paperwork, including attendance reports, detention slips, student referral slips, student passes, and physical therapy charts.
  • Perform miscellaneous clerical duties and assist other staff members.
  • Laminate materials and prepare bulletin boards for parents and programs.
  • Report consistently for scheduled work and perform other assigned duties.

Academy District 20 provides K-12 public education to students in northern Colorado Springs through a network of approximately 40 schools. The district operates using a site-based management model, which allows individual schools to design specialized curricula—such as International Baccalaureate or Career and Technical Education—to meet the specific needs of their local communities. This decentralized approach distinguishes the district from others by empowering school-level decision-making while maintaining the state's highest academic accreditation. The district's goal is to achieve academic excellence and community connectedness by optimizing resources and investing in diverse programs for students of all ability levels.

Company Size

N/A

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

N/A

Founded

N/A

Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • June 2026 enrollment held at 26,471, supporting stable state funding and staffing.
  • July 2026 Chromebook refresh and EAC construction show continued operational investment.
  • Susan Field’s 2026-27 interim appointment gives the district a full-year reset window.

What critics are saying

  • May 15, 2026 board split with Jinger Haberer signals governance instability into 2026-27.
  • Budget pressure remains real: January 2026 reserve protection delayed deeper spending flexibility.
  • Air Academy High School reconstruction depends on OLDCC approval and voter support, risking a multi-year failure.

What makes Academy District 20 unique

  • ASD20’s 2019 strategic framework centers academic excellence, connectedness, and resource optimization.
  • Its 20 CTE programs and dual-enrollment options create strong college-and-career pathways.
  • The district’s military-adjacent location supports specialized rebuild funding for Air Academy High School.

Help us improve and share your feedback! Did you find this helpful?

Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Paid Vacation

Paid Sick Leave

Paid Holidays

Flexible Work Hours

Hybrid Work Options

Remote Work Options

701?

Company News

KOAA
Aug 7th, 2026
CPW asks for no fishing on portion of Arkansas River during hottest parts of day.

CPW asks for no fishing on portion of Arkansas River during hottest parts of day. Posted 4:07 PM, Aug 07, 2026 PUEBLO, Colo. (KOAA) - Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is asking you to avoid fishing on a portion of the Arkansas River during the hottest parts of the day. A voluntary closure is now in effect every day from noon until midnight at the Arkansas River from Pueblo Boulevard east down to Fountain Creek. Low water levels and high temperatures are making it hard for trout to survive after being caught. "The drought conditions we're seeing this year call for creative partnerships and innovative solutions," said Lauren Ris, Director of the Colorado Water Conservation Board. "This effort demonstrates what's possible when water users, conservation organizations, and state partners come together to respond quickly to emerging needs. Through this collaborative project, we're helping protect the river while supporting the communities, recreation, and resources that depend on it." Officials say you should fish early in the morning when the water is cooler. CPW says if conditions get worse, they could make the closure mandatory. D20 board president resigns ahead of school year as family moves out of state. Academy District 20 School Board President Amy Shandy announced her resignation during the board's meeting Thursday, saying she is moving out of state after her husband accepted a new job. What should KOAA5 cover? Is there a story, topic, or issue Koaa News5 should revisit? Have a story you believe should make the light of day? Let its newsroom know with the contact form below. Watch KOAA News5 on your time, anytime with its free streaming app available for your Roku, FireTV, AppleTV and Android TV. Just search KOAA News5, download and start watching.

KOAA
May 19th, 2026
Academy School District 20 names interim superintendent after ousting former leader.

Academy School District 20 names interim superintendent after ousting former leader. Posted 3:55 PM, May 19, 2026 COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KOAA) - The Academy School District 20 board unanimously selects Dr. Susan Field to lead the district through the 2026-27 school year. Academy School District 20 has selected an interim superintendent during a special meeting on Tuesday. The board unanimously selected Dr. Susan Field, the current assistant superintendent for learning services, to fill the role. This comes after former Superintendent Jinger Haberer was ousted in a board vote last week after members said they lost confidence in her leadership abilities. The district sent a letter to families on Tuesday saying they "remain strong, stable and focused" despite the transition of leadership. Field will serve in the role through the 2026-27 school year. This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Its editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy. Teller county forest land enforcement. Allegations of illegal immigrants causing destruction and violating forest service laws come into question. With more updates from the sheriff's office ahead. What should KOAA5 cover? Is there a story, topic, or issue KOAA News 5 should revisit? Have a story you believe should make the light of day? Let its newsroom know with the contact form below. Watch KOAA News5 on your time, anytime with its free streaming app available for your Roku, FireTV, AppleTV and Android TV. Just search KOAA News5, download and start watching.